Rapid City Travel & Tourism Attractions

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Rapid City Activities

A large and vibrant gateway city to the Black Hills, Rapid City travelers can experience a mix of historic and modern attractions, and abundant year-round indoor and outdoor recreational activities.

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Storybook Island

A free theme park for children and their parents. Explore many park attractions that feature story book characters.

Bear Country USA

A local Black Hills zoo that is home to many of the area's native animals.

Fort Hays Chuckwagon

The most popular dinner entertainment in the Black Hills, enjoy a chuckwagon supper followed by a Cowboy Music Variety Show.

The Journey Museum

Journey through 2.5 billion years of history. Collections include archaelogy, geology, Minnilusa Pioneer, Sioux Indian, western native gardens, and journey into space.

Watiki Water Park

This Polynesian themed water park is fun for all ages. Enjoy a play zone, obstacle course, lazy river and 3 water slides.

  • Rapid City, South Dakota, is a traveling hotspot, with centrally located museums, parks, shops and accommodation establishments.
  • Hike or bike the 13.5 mile trail following Rapid Creek.
  • Visit the Journey Museum and the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
  • Fish, camp, horseback ride, rock climb and more in Black Hills National Forest.

Rapid City, South Dakota, tourism is a roaring trade, offering a mix of modern entertainment venues as well as historic districts, buildings, and museums highlighting the area's culture.

Bountiful year-round recreational activities cater to all ages, and outdoor Rapid City attractions include hiking and mountain biking trails, rivers and reservoirs, and climbable rock canyons.

Summer

  • Rock-Climbing
    Nearby Needles-Sylvan Lake district, in the Harney Range, is a rock-climbing paradise, with guides and outfitters ready to help you find the perfect wall or rock face.
  • Hiking/Cycling
    Tour Rapid City on the 13.5 mile trail following Rapid Creek then continue west out of town and explore the multi-use Mickelson Trail.
  • Mountain Biking
    Attend the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival or explore the 240 acres surrounding Cowboy Hill.
  • Fishing
    Tie on a dry fly and search for trout in Rapid Creek or head to a nearby reservoir and enjoy a day of lake fishing.
  • Horseback Riding
    Satisfy your inner cowboy and take a guided horseback trail ride for a few hours of fun in the saddle.
  • Museums/Arts
    With most museums open year-round, anytime is a good time to visit the Journey Museum, Dahl Arts Center, The Museum of Geology and more.
  • Shopping
    Another year-round activity, search for the perfect gift in Rapid City’s historic downtown, Rushmore Mall, Rushmore Crossing Shopping Center, or Black Hills Gold jewelry outlets.

Winter

  • Snowmobiling
    Snowmobiling is a primary Rapid City tourism activity in wintertime, with thousands of miles of accessible trails and roads located in Black Hills National Forest.
  • Snowshoeing/Cross-country Skiing
    Snowshoe or cross-country ski in one of several designated areas or take the adventurous approach and break new trail.
  • Ice Fishing
    Spud a hole and enjoy an afternoon on ice as you wet a line on a nearby reservoir.

Other Rapid City Activities Resources

The Dahl

The Dahl is Rapid City's community arts center.